High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Presents credentials in Solomon Islands

April 11, 2016

High Commissioner Somasundaram Skandakumar presented credentials to the Governor General of Solomon Islands Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui in Honiara on 17th March 2016. The High Commissioner was welcomed with the traditional garlanding of shell money and a Guard of Honour at the Governor General’s House. Speaking at the occasion, High Commissioner Skandakumar said that as island nations Sri Lanka and Solomon Islands share common interests and concerns, which can be focussed in furthering bilateral relations. The High Commissioner briefed on the new political direction of the Government in Sri Lanka, which aims at fostering reconciliation, democratic values and economic development.

The Governor General appreciated the initiatives of the Sri Lankan Government and highlighted the need to build on the bilateral relations, which were established in 2013, for mutual benefit. Referring to the legal and commercial fields as potential areas for cooperation the Governor General recalled with fond memories six months spent in Sri Lanka in 1976 under a Commonwealth training programme.

The High Commissioner called on Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka during the visit, and was hosted to lunch by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Joseph Maahanua. He also interacted with the small but influential Sri Lankan community in Honiara.

Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra

11th April 2016